When it comes to nightlife, the inner city of Tucson offers plenty to do. The city’s size can leave some people feeling disconnected from the action, but when you look deeper than the surface, you will be able to find the fun in Tucson.
The Mercado is a space that is mostly unassuming white buildings from the outside, but its true beauty reveals itself once you step inside. The main atrium is what most people are familiar with, surrounded by stores and restaurants on all sides, and it makes for a unique experience compared to other places in the city.
“It’s wonderful,” said Heather Graham, a Tucson resident and Bazaar attendee. “Very abiding.”
“When you’re in the community and you’re seeing people really enjoying the art that is local, it’s pretty amazing,” Graham said. “ I would absolutely go next year.”
Each section of the Mercado is home to year-round businesses like Agustin’s Kitchen and La Estrella Bakery. However, the place is usually not as congested with foot traffic as somewhere like Congress Street. That has changed with the relatively recent addition of the Mercado Holiday Bazaar, which brings Tucson’s often isolated arts and crafts community together on one street.
Catherine Moutray is an ink transfer artist who makes and reprints art onto wood. She has been a local artist in Tucson for a few years now, but she says this is her first year having a booth at the Bazaar.
“It’s a really nice community space and it’s lovely to have the restaurant and bars,” Moutray said.“Any market that I do is an opportunity to talk to people and tell them about what I do.”
About four years ago, the Bazaar began showcasing artisans, artists and local businesses in a large open-air market. Zach Lihatsh is a self proclaimed artist, designer and metal fabricator who has had a stand at the Bazaar every year since it started. You could call him a blacksmith since steel is his material of choice.
Lihatsh says the Bazaar helps him drum up good business in preparation for the holidays. “It’s a relatively young event. I like it. It’s a nice atmosphere,” Lihatsh said. “I like this because it runs the gambit between high-end and low-end crafts.” This is evident by the large variety of products for sale at the Bazaar, from hand-crafted products to more traditional resales.
“Hannah and Kira are the main people,” Lihatsh said. Kira Dixon-Weinstein is the executive director of the Mercado San Agustin under The Gadsden Company. According to KGUN–9, Hannah McCarthy is another member of the team who is known for her work on the Mercado expansions. Lihatsh notes that the Mercado Bazaar was their idea.
As more vendors signed up for space at the Bazaar, the need for a larger venue grew. Thankfully, the MSA Annex shopping mall just down the street was equipped to accommodate the vendors.
The MSA Annex is a more recent addition to the area. Built using modern architectural techniques and recycled shipping containers, it is a multipurpose venue that has hosted everything from concerts to farmers markets. Like the Mercado, it also houses year-round businesses that benefit from these events.
The 2024 Bazaar runs from Dec. 20-22. If you missed it this year, you can look forward to another one next Christmas, along with many other Mercado-centered events such as the All Souls Procession.
